For the 2016-17 academic year, Cuesta College awarded 273 students with scholarships, disbursing $345,000 in funds to support student success (an increase of 12 percent compared to 2015).

On August 8, the college hosted nearly 300 scholarship donors and student recipients at the 27th annual Scholarship Reception. A total of 485 scholarships were awarded this year; some recipients received more than one.

Recipients are current students at Cuesta College, incoming transfers and high school students who will attend the college in fall 2016. Scholarship monies can be used for tuition, books and other expenses.

"Although attending Cuesta College is much more affordable than a four-year university, the cost to attend is still a financial challenge for many of our students,” said Executive Director of the Cuesta College Foundation/Advancement Shannon Hill. "The support of individual donors and community organizations is a testament that the community is behind our students, cheering them on as they pursue higher education.”

The scholarships do not include the Promise Scholarship, which offers a fee-free fall and spring semester to SLO County high school graduates. Last year, 706 students received the Promise Scholarship.

The Cuesta College Foundation was founded in 1973 for the specific and primary purposes of promoting the general welfare of Cuesta College. The Foundation assists and supports Cuesta College in the attainment of educational, scientific and cultural goals and in fulfilling the College’s mission of service to the community. As the lead entity for resource development for the college, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for student scholarships, equipment, and programs and projects.